Improvement in bells



dntied` g tant @met cattiva WILLIAM FLETCHER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

Letters Patent No. 90,654, dated June 1, 1869.

I MPRovEMENa-IN BELLS.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part ot the same.

Figure l is an elevation of a bell, on my improved` plan, representing the lower part in section, and

Figure 2, an inverted view. 4

The same letters indicate like parts in both figures. It is weil known that bells made of cast-metal are liable to crack after having been used for some time, which cracking is due to the fact that the cast-metals of which bells are made possess very little dnctility, and, as the clapper strikes the bell always at the same distance from the axis of its vibration, and near the edge or rim, the repeated strokes gradually expand the inner circumference, which expansion of the inside soon causes astrain on the outer circumference greater than the tenacity of the metal can stand, and then it gives-way, and the bell, in consequence, becomes worthless.

The Object of my said invention is to render bells more durable, by so constructing that part of the inner circumference which is struck by the clapper, that it shall not be expanded by the force of thc hammering to which bells are subjected in use; and to this end,

My said invention consists in-making that part of the inner circumference of a bell, against which the clapper or "hammer strikes, with narrow grooves, to make what may be termed breaks in the inner circumference, so that the parts which are struck by the clapper may expand Without exerting a straining or pulling action on the outer'part.

invention, I will nowA describe the mode Of construe tion, which I have tried and deem to be the best.

The accompanying drawings represent a bell of the usual form, which form may be varied at pleasure.

I cast the inner periphery of the bell, A, whercthe clapper Or hammer strikes, with an inward-projecting rib, B, and of a thickness about half the thickness of the body, and this rib is either cast with a series of cross-grooves, C, at given distances apart, or, instead of forming suchl grooves in cast-ing, 'they may be cut i into the rib by any suitable tool.

The'grooves I prefer to make, in depth, about equal to the thickness of the rib B.

' These grooves afford abundant space for the free expansion of. the segments of the rib due to the hainmering force of the clapper, thereby avoidingv the strain on the Outer portion ofthe bell.

Although, as I have abovey stated, I prefer to cast the bell with a grooved projecting rim, anddeem that the best mode of construction, still it will be'obvious Witnesses:

J OsEPH G. HARRISON, WM. H. BISHOP. 

